RA NA Vice Speaker on TRIPP: Armenian-American project does not  envisage  participation of other countries

ArmInfo. The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project is an Armenian-American project that does not envisage the participation of  other countries, as stated by Ruben Rubinyan, Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, to reporters at the National Assembly on January 19.

However, he assured that despite this, in terms of dividends, the  implementation of TRIPP benefits Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Iran,  Russia, as well as countries in Central Asia and Europe. Rubinyan  pointed to a direct link between the project's launch and the  possible lifting of the blockade, which, he assured, would provide  Armenia with rail links to Iran and Russia, and Russia with Turkey.  "Upon reviewing the document, it will become clear to everyone: it  rules out the corridor logic. Furthermore, the published document  clearly states that security will be maintained by the relevant  Armenian authorities, passport and customs procedures will be in  place, and Armenian border guards will be physically present at the  controlled areas. All actions will be carried out with due regard for  Armenia's sovereignty," the deputy speaker of parliament assured,  adding that the issue of sovereignty and the state's share in the  project are in no way connected in this case.  In this regard, he  noted that theoretically, the project could be entirely  American-owned (Armenia's share is 26%, while the US's is 74% - ed.).  Rubinyan also clarified why Armenia has such a small stake in the  project. According to him, the US owns 74% because it will be the US  that will invest in the project. "Not only will Armenia receive taxes  from the project, it will also profit from the distribution of  shares," Rubinyan said.

When considering the control mechanism Armenia will exercise in this  situation, given that it owns only a 26% stake in the project,  Rubinyan pointed out that there are numerous companies in the country  in which the state does not hold a stake but still regulates their  activities. He mentioned the Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC and  South Caucasus Railway CJSC (SCR) as examples, highlighting that they  are registered in Armenia, pay taxes, and operate within the  framework of Armenian law.

He also commented on statements coming from Turkey, in particular the  fact that it continues to be referred to in the context of the  so-called "Zangezur Corridor," ignoring other designations. "The  corridor topic is closed. We don't know what the 'Zangezur Corridor'  is. There's only the Trump route," Rubinyan said, adding that the  published document outlines all the aspects that raise concerns about  the route's implementation and statements coming from Turkey.